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Town News Center

Windsor Encourages Railroad Crossing Safety

With summer events right around the corner, the Town of Windsor would like to remind community members of the following railroad crossing safety tips:

The only safe place to cross is at a designated roadway crossing or public crossing with a railroad crossing sign, flashing red lights or a gate. If you cross at any other place, you are trespassing and can be ticketed or fined.

Trains cannot stop quickly. Even if the engineer sees you, a freight train moving at 55 miles per hour can take a mile or more to stop once the emergency brakes are applied. That’s 18 football fields.

Trains and cars don’t mix. Never race a train to the crossing — even if you tie, you lose.

Never drive around lowered gates — it’s illegal and deadly. If you suspect a signal is malfunctioning, call the emergency number posted on or near the crossing signal or call Windsor Police at 970-674-6400.

Do not get trapped on the tracks; proceed through a crossing only if you are sure you can completely clear it without stopping. Remember, the train is three feet wider than the tracks on both sides.

If your vehicle ever stalls on the tracks with a train coming, get out immediately and quickly move away from the tracks in the direction the train is coming from. If you run in the same direction as the train, you could be injured by flying debris when the train hits your car.

Always expect a train. Freight trains do not follow set schedules; be alert.

“For the safety of our community, it is important for us to cross at designated crossings, especially around Boardwalk Park,” said Windsor Chief of Police Richard Klimek. “We often see people cross the tracks near the lake trail, putting their life and the lives of the train personnel in danger.”

Despite the town’s recent Quiet Zone designation, trains will sound horns in the case of emergency, including when individuals are present on tracks. For more information on the Quiet Zone designation, visit the Quiet Zone page.